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Commissioners hear objections to state wildfire-hazard maps; direct staff to draft letter for board review
Summary
Public and staff raised concerns that state wildfire-hazard maps have increased insurance costs and regulatory burdens. The board directed staff to draft a letter opposing the maps and to present a draft for review at the March 19 meeting; staff also noted an individual appeal process landowners may use.
Public comment and staff briefings at the Morrow County Board of Commissioners meeting focused on newly issued state wildfire-hazard maps and their local impacts. Speakers described increased insurance premiums and difficulty securing coverage for some properties after the maps were released.
Dale Boyd, who identified himself as having fire-management experience, told the board he believed the analysis that produced the maps was flawed and that he had seen examples of insurance premiums doubling or policies canceled for properties in mapped areas. He asked the board to send a letter to state legislators asking for repeal of the maps and related statutory changes. "My home insurance has tripled. I have another person. His home insurance has doubled," Boyd said during public comment.
Planning staff said the county had issued outreach (a memo and a Gazette flyer) to inform property owners and that the county’s building official — a contracted function — will carry any additional regulatory responsibilities (for example, permitting and defensible-space enforcement). Staff noted there is an individual contested-case/appeal process landowners can pursue; one staff member said appeals must be submitted by March 10 for affected landowners.
After discussion, commissioners asked county staff to draft a letter from the board opposing the wildfire-hazard map designations and to return a draft for board review at the March 19 meeting. Commissioners also requested staff follow-up with county associations (AOC and Eastern Oregon group) and coordinate with landowners pursuing appeals.
Why it matters: map designations can affect insurance availability and costs, building-permit requirements, and potential mitigation obligations for landowners in mapped areas. County staff emphasized the appeal process for individual properties as an immediate avenue for landowners.
Next steps: county staff will draft a proposed board letter opposing the wildfire-hazard maps, circulate it to commissioners for comment and present a draft at the March 19 meeting; staff will also continue outreach on the appeal process for individual landowners.
